Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship, for the Hardwick Gazette
HARDWICK — When Andy Holston moved to Hardwick during the Covid-19 pandemic, making friends was no small task. Like many newcomers arriving during a period of isolation, casual introductions and shared gatherings were hard to come by.
After joining a craft group at the Civic Standard, Holston experienced a meaningful shift. “One morning I woke up and realized, ‘Oh, I have friends!’” she said.
Founded in 2022, the Civic Standard is a cultural center with the goal of bringing together people who might not otherwise find themselves in the same room, according to Rose Friedman, one of the founders.
On any given week, the space hosts shared dinners, live music, theater performances, conversation groups, classes and opportunities for artists and hobbyists alike.
The Civic Standard was founded by Friedman, Tara Reese and Erica Heilman, who saw a gap in community connection — particularly in a rural town where people often live miles apart and daily routines don’t always overlap.
The programming is broad, which lowers participation barriers and invites residents of all backgrounds.
“[Covid-19] almost focused my gaze in some way, on the meaning of making cultural work and gathering spaces,” Friedman said.
“We felt like it was going to be weird and hard to prove what we were trying to do, but people knew what we meant without us saying much at all,” she continued.
The Craft Collective is one of the many groups that operates at the Civic Standard. Christina Sacalis and Gwen Metayer launched the group two years ago as a mending circle. Rooted in sustainability and a shared interest in textile skills, the founders wanted to teach people how to repair clothing and extend the lifespan of garments that might otherwise be thrown away.
The practical skill-sharing group quickly evolved into something broader. Participants began asking whether they could bring projects beyond clothing repair — knitting, embroidery and other crafts. As interest grew and Metayer’s schedule became busier, Sacalis asked members how they felt about expanding the group’s focus. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and the mending circle transformed into what is now known as the Craft Collective.
“I just love them so much,” Sacalis said. “It’s absolutely therapeutic when we get together.”
For many members, the value of the Craft Collective goes beyond crafting itself. The weekly meetings provide structure, familiarity and a sense of belonging. People show up not only to finish projects but also to share stories, swap advice and check in on one another’s lives.
The Craft Collective is just one piece of the larger vision taking place at the Civic Standard.
The Civic Standard has become a hub of social life for Hardwick residents, bridging political differences, professions and age gaps. Younger adults learning basic sewing skills can be found alongside older residents with decades of experience in traditional crafts.
Holston recalled once seeing a woman at the crafting group that she didn’t recognize at first. Through conversation, Holston realized the woman was the organizer of a sheep and wool festival in Tunbridge. “It was just like mind blowing to have this really old knowledge, long term knowledge coming from someone that was just like sitting on the couch in front of me,” she said.
That exchange of knowledge helps preserve traditional skills that might otherwise fade while also strengthening relationships across generations.
The promise of support gives younger members the confidence and space to expand their skillset, while more experienced participants get to watch their passions being passed down.
“I never would have taken on a craft medium that vast and, frankly, difficult to learn if I didn’t have the craft collective, because I knew I had Christina,” Holston said.
The result is not just a room full of people making things, but a network of relationships forming stitch by stitch.
Going forward, Sacalis is hoping to bring more programming into the collective, including more classes and even group field trips. So far, the Craft Collective has organized a “Repair-a-palooza” with the Civic Standard, where folks were welcomed to bring any clothing or gear that they might not have been ready to let go of yet.
“People are craving connection, and I’m so grateful to the Civic for holding this and being so open,” Sacalis said.